All cacti have something special, which makes them unique and unrepeatable. Even among specimens that come from the same batch of seeds, there are subtle differences that make us opt for one or the other. But it is also true that there are species that attract us so much attention that we cannot stop looking at them, as is the case of the Mammillaria perbella.
Her last name already tells us that she is very pretty, and she does not lack reason: her bearing, although common, is elegant. What's more, It tends to grow dichotomously, that is, so that we can all understand each other more easily, pulling out two »heads». And that… that is worth seeing, and what better than to do it from home, having acquired a copy.
How is it?
Mammillaria perbella is the scientific name of a endemic cactus of Guanajuato in Mexico. It was described by Heinrich Hildmann and Karl Moritz Schumann, and published in Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen in 1899.
It is characterized by first growing individually, and then tending to do so dichotomously forming groups. The stems are globular in shape, glaucous-green in color, and measure up to 6cm in diameter. The ribs are small, conical, and have areolae from which 2 central reddish-white spines emerge that will end up being white that are 1 to 6 mm long. It also has 14 to 18 radial bristle spines, which are 1,5 to 3mm long.
The flowers are dark pink or crimson and measure 1cm in diameter.. The fruits are small, red and brown in color and contain numerous tiny black seeds.
What are their cares?
La Mammillaria perbella it is very easy to take care of, as long as you keep in mind that it must be in a sunny exposition (if purchased from a nursery where it was grown indoors, you have to get used to the sun little by little so that it does not burn), and it has to be watered little (one or two times a week maximum), avoiding waterlogging at all times.
Furthermore, it is highly recommended to fertilize it with a cactus fertilizer following the instructions specified on the package. In case of having it in a pot, we will transplant it every two years, in spring, to a larger one.
For the rest, although it is not able to withstand frost, it does It can be grown outdoors all year long if the temperature does not drop below -2ºC.. If this happens, it should be protected indoors in a bright room, or in a greenhouse.